Robbins Road Access Management/Design Guideline Project
616.935.3276
Bill Cargo, Grand Haven Township Superintendent/Manager
616.842.5988 ext. 6326
Background
In 2010, the City of Grand Haven and Grand Haven Charter Township both began the process of updating to their respective Master Plans. Although both plans varied in scope and vision, they shared a common element; the Robbins Road Sub Area Plan.
Robbins Road is a city controlled roadway that serves as a jurisdictional boundary between the City and the Township. The road is an aging commercial corridor that lacks a sense of place and a cohesive vision. During the sub area planning process, both communities recognized the need to unify the communities in their planning efforts and specifically to develop cohesive standards for land use and design decisions.
The sub area plan considered issues such as traffic, road design and access control, entry opportunities, parking, pedestrian circulation and site and architectural design. The plan outlined several design and policies changes including the need to develop access management improvements and uniform design standards. It was anticipated that such a project would completed jointly and result in uniform zoning amendments.
For more information on the Sub Area Planning effort see Planning & Zoning News Article.
In early 2010, the City and Township hired Fishbeck, Thompson Carr & Huber, Inc. to complete a joint Operational & Access Management Study for Robbins Road (between Beacon Blvd/US-31 and Beechtree/168th). The purpose of the report was to determine the feasibility of possible lane configurations in light of traffic volumes and appropriate access management strategies. This report will be used to assist in the preparation of the Sub Area Access Management/Design Guideline Plan.
Operational and Access Management Study
Access Management/Design Guideline Plan
In August 2010 the City and Township hired LSL Planning and Progressive Engineering to implement the recommendation of the Robbins Road sub area plan; and specifically hired the firms to develop a comprehensive access management plan and design guideline study for the Robbins Road corridor (between Beacon Boulevard/US-31 and Beechtree St./168th Ave). The project will take approximately 8 months to complete and will offer several opportunities for the public to comment.
The total project cost is $17,930.00. This cost will be shared by the City and Township.
Click here to see the project scope
Preliminary Access Management Concepts
The following presentation was given at the October 27th joint meeting. The concepts are preliminary and expected to change based on comments received by the stakeholders of the Robbins Road Corridor and City and Township officials.
Access Management Plan - Robbins Road Corridor
Important Meeting Dates
Stakeholder Meeting
- Thursday October 7th, 2010
- Griffin Elementary, 1700 S Griffin Street
- 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Business and property owners are invited to review preliminary access management concepts for the corridor and discuss how said concepts will affect their business/property
- Open to the public
- Invitations will be sent to business and property owners who front on Robbins Road (between Beacon Blvd/US-31 and Beechtree/168th)
Joint Township Board/City Council and Planning Commissions Meeting
- Wednesday October 27th, 2010
- Grand Haven Community Center, 421 Columbus Street
- 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Joint Meeting of the Grand Haven Township Board/Planning Commission and the City of Grand Haven Council/Planning Commission
- Open to the public
What is Access Management?
Access Management is a set of proven techniques that can help reduce traffic congestion, preserve traffic flow, improve traffic safety, prevent crashes, preserve existing road capacity and preserve existing investment in roads by management the location, design and type of access to property. Below are links to additional access management information provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration.
Michigan Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration